A special commission under the Committee on Competition and Consumer Protection has initiated proceedings against a group of propane importers for violating competition rules by inflating prices and restricting supply during exchange trading.
According to the committee, the violations occurred between November and December 2025 and January 2026. During this period, methane fueling stations faced supply restrictions due to gas shortages, which increased demand for alternative fuels such as propane and gasoline. The investigation found that several companies limited the volume of propane offered on the exchange and raised starting prices, contributing to market price increases.
Following the review, the commission determined that 31 companies had breached competition legislation. Of these, 12 companies were identified as having engaged in coordinated actions that restricted competition in exchange trading. These include Shirin Gaz Servis, Nasaf Taminot Gaz Press, Friday-Exstra Xk, Maroqand-Energy Gaz Oil, Asatillo Bobo Gaz Invest, Unit Group Sirdarya, Gazone, Farg‘ona Gaz To‘ldirish Stansiyasi, Oilchem, Sh-Z Handsome Group, Interneft, and Gtl Gaz.
In other cases, the commission identified unjustified increases in starting prices and instances where propane was sold directly under contracts, bypassing exchange procedures.
As a result of the investigation, financial sanctions were imposed. Total fines amounted to UZS 28.9bn (over $2.3mn), and companies were instructed to transfer an additional UZS 34.1bn (over $2.7mn) in unjustified income to the state budget. The companies were also issued binding orders to eliminate violations and prevent similar practices in the future.
The committee reported that enforcement measures contributed to a 21% decrease in propane prices on the exchange.
The Competition Development Committee attributed the price dynamics in part to structural changes in the market. The share of imported propane in exchange trading increased from 20% to 90%, while domestically produced gas was increasingly allocated for household and social use. As a result, imported propane became the primary factor influencing exchange prices.
Customs Committee data shows that Uzbekistan imported approximately 163,600 tons of propane in 2025, up from 119,400 tons in 2024, representing a 37% increase.
